Based on his recent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record at The Milwaukee Mile, this could be the week Terry Cook (No. 10 Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford) returns to top form. Cook will be the first to welcome the change. Its been a miserable month for the Ohio native leading into Fridays Black Cat Fireworks 200, the series 10th visit to the Milwaukee area and first event under the lights at State Fair Park. Cook, winner of the race two years ago in an exciting finish with Jason Leffler, has placed 20th or worse in his most recent three starts. Since placing third at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway on May 16, Cook and his first-year ppc Racing team have dropped from eighth to 14th in the championship standings. The team also is finding its legs under new crew chief Jamie Jones. The season has been a roller coaster ride; its been up and down, said Cook. Its nice to have the ups when youre running well but it makes the downs fall that much harder when youre on the top. Cook is known as a flat-track specialist, having scored victories at the old Flemington (N.J.) Speedway, Gateway International Raceway, Indianapolis Raceway Park and New Hampshire International Speedway as well as Milwaukee. I really have a good feel for those tracks, Cook said. Those skills should come in handy this week as Cook bids to become the first series driver to win more than once at The Milwaukee Mile. Former winners Mike Skinner (No. 42 Toyota Tundra Toyota, 1995), Jack Sprague (No. 16 Chevy Trucks Chevrolet, 1996) and Ted Musgrave (No. 1 Mopar Dodge, 2001) also are entered. The Milwaukee Mile is a good place for me to go back to because its not far from my home (the Toledo suburb of Sylvania) and its the site of my first race on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, said Cook. The veteran of 173 series races beginning in 1996, Cook has completed the most laps/miles (1,486) at the track and is second in laps led with 172 to Spragues 446. Hes finished seventh, first and fourth in his last three Milwaukee appearances. The past, however, is just that past. Cook comes to Milwaukee with his third different team. Fortuitously, ppc Racing and crew chief Jones – are Milwaukee Mile veterans. The Greg Pollex-Keith Barnwell operation is the defending NASCAR Busch Series Alan Kulwicki 250 winner with Jason Keller. Jeff Green won the race in 2000. Jones meanwhile was a member of the BACE Motorsports team in 1996 when Randy LaJoie finished third. Its a matter of taking the equipment that is already built and massaging it to both Jamies liking and my driving style, said Cook. Were not there just yet by any means but well keep climbing the ladder. Jones agrees with his drivers assessment. With communications, Terry and I have about a C (grade) going into Milwaukee, he said. Engineering I would give them a B. Its going to work out (but) its going to take time to put all the pieces in place. Right now, my realistic goal is top-10 qualifying and top-10 finishes. Once we can do that, then we can shoot for top-five qualifying and top-five finishes. Once you get to that point, the wins will take care of themselves. The combination of driver and track could mean that this week, anyway, the team is closer to the second goal than Jones might think.
NEWS & NOTES, PART II
Milwaukee Mile bids for record winning streak The Milwaukee Mile and Texas Motor Speedway have produced record runs of nine consecutive different winners. The difference is that the latter tracks streak ended in 2002 and Milwaukee could see a 10th different winner this week, thus breaking the deadlock. Milwaukee is one of just five tracks to have hosted a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race in all 10 seasons.
Truck makers well-represented in title chase Each of the series four manufacturers Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge and Toyota has at least one driver among the current top six in the championship standings. Dennis Setzer (No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet) enters race No. 9 with a 55-point lead over Carl Edwards (No. 99 Superchips Ford). Memphis winner Bobby Hamilton (No. 4 Square D Dodge) is third with Toyotas Skinner sixth.
Etc. Hamilton, the seasons second double winner, is the first Tennessee native to score a victory in the Volunteer State. Joe Ruttman was a Nashville-area resident when he won the 1995 event at Bristol Motor Speedway. Bang Racing has swapped teams this week. The Eric Phillips-led crew moves to Skinners No. 42 side of the shop while Rick Rons group will handle Travis Kvapils No. 24 Line-X Tundra. Ren was Kvapils crew chief at Addington Racing in 2001-02. The first leg of this years Raybestos Rookie of the Year competition is complete with David Reutimann (No. 17 NTN Bearings Toyota) holding a 102 76 lead over Tracy Hines (No. 88 Menards Chevrolet). Last years Black Cat Fireworks 200, won by Brendan Gaughan, was the fastest series race run at The Milwaukee Mile. Gaughans Dodge averaged 109.689 mph as one caution consumed just five laps of the 200-mile event. Four of nine races at Milwaukee have been won from the Bud Pole. Cook was the last to accomplish the feat in 2002. Craftsmans win from the pole bonus stands at $18,000 this week.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Sprague is Milwaukee master Competing in the first seven series races at The Milwaukee Mile, Sprague never finished off the lead lap or worse than ninth the latter finish coming in 1995, the only time he didnt compete in a Hendrick Motorsports entry. Sprague, a three-time Bud Pole winner, boasts an average start of 4.29 and finish of 4.14. Musgrave near perfection as well Illinois native Musgrave, who raced out of Franklin, Wis. before moving south to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has finished first, fourth and fifth in three NASCAR Craftsman Truck starts in Milwaukee.
Fast Facts
What: Black Cat Fireworks 200 (Race No. 9 of 25).
Where: The Milwaukee Mile, Milwaukee, Wis.
When: 9 p.m. ET, Friday, June 25.
Track layout: One-mile paved speedway.
Race length: 200 laps/200 miles.
Posted awards: $485,784.
TV: SPEED Channel, 9 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: Brendan Gaughan.
2003 polesitter: Terry Cook.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday Practice, Noon 12:55 and 2 p.m. 2:45 p.m. Qualifying, 5:00 p.m. Trucks impounded following time trials.(NASCAR Statistical Services)(6-23-2004)
